Description
The definitive work on agaves for the garden. Among this book’s highlights you’ll find:
- The most exciting new species and hybrids
- More than 220 superb photos, many taken in native habitats
- How to distinguish similar species
- The latest cultural and taxonomic information
- How to grow agaves outside their native range
Species, cultivars, and hybrids best suited to gardens and landscapes are profiled in vivid detail. Each entry includes field notes as well as a detailed description of the plant and its cultural requirements. Because agaves can change dramatically as they age, photos show species from youth to maturity, a unique feature of this book. Distribution, taxonomy, and horticultural history complete the in-depth treatment.
Useful to specialists and to enthusiasts who are just beginning to explore the dazzlingly diverse world of agaves, this authoritative guide is sure to win converts to these amazing New World plants.
Mark Bosley –
This is an intriguing, even inspiring book.
It is beautiful and has a lot of information that will ward off much disappointment. For example, I had a Macroanthia and and Queen Victoria Agave, which I was going to plant on the North and South side of my house respectively. After consulting Gregg’s book, I know I need to flip that. Also, I just purchased a small Agave Montana and I was going to plant it in my usual sandy gravelly mix of dirt. But, through this book Gregg informed me that the Montana is native to a high pine forest and needs more organic matter.
Each Agave discussed has a section on landscaping use which is useful. But, it is the pictures of the Agave in their native habitat really make the book. What a difference between seeing an agave in a one gallon black plastic at you local nursery and seeing the full grown specimen growing off a cliff in Mexico.
The lists are very helpful: most frost hardy, most frost tender, most xeric and the size lists. An indispensable book for any xeric gardener.